Early retirement a new pub and a tragic loss

Kelly got married to Jim Gile and had three beautiful children. Kacie, Karlie and Nicholas. Nick was born in February 1999. A few months after, she was diagnosed with a non-malignant brain tumor. I was heartbroken. Years to follow, seizures, radiation, doctors, and trying to stay positive for her family became her life. She lost her battle with cancer the Monday after Thanksgiving 2001, which was a few months after Nick turned three. Rick had left for Colorado to attend airplane mechanic school in the 80s.

All of that took place from the time I met Bert in 1985 until we sold the restaurant in 2001. We did sell the restaurant in 2001 to our chef on a land contract. They were unable to keep their contract. He and his girlfriend were not very good as owners. We had to return and take over the operation. Luckily Walgreens drug stores purchased the property, and we retired in 2002. That year we built a house on Tichigan Lake. It was a lovely home that we enjoyed, but Bert was bored, so he bought a rundown biker bar in Michigan. We gutted it and added the kitchen. Bert loved the construction part, and I had to put it back together. I made it look like an old Art Deco supper club. Our reputation from Bartlett's had not been forgotten.